Faculty Spotlight: Ms. Justine Quiroz | Academic Advisor, Special Projects, Teacher

What first inspired you to become a teacher, and what continues to inspire you today?

I was inspired by my own teachers. I remember being in Lit 12 with Mrs. Nannery when I first thought, "This is what I want to do. Be someone who has a genuine love for inspiring others to be and do better." From then on, I saw each of my own teachers in a new light and wanted to be an inspiration like them. Today, it is honestly my students who inspire me. Seeing a student who rarely participates in class offer an idea, even once, and seeing their face light up when they have connected with both the lesson and their classmates is truly inspiring. Seeing their growth, even the tiniest bit, inspires me to continue what I do.

What do you love most about teaching in a Catholic school community?

Many Catholic school communities are smaller, and that is one thing I love about them. The genuine friendship and respect among peers and students is something I value the most within a Catholic school community. As well as the ability to celebrate my own faith during school days through Friday masses, large school masses, daily prayers, or even just a quiet trip to the school chapel.

Can you share a memorable moment with your students that reminded you why you love teaching?

I have many moments that stand out to me, but I think my most memorable one was from my early years of teaching. I was covering a Math 10 class for another staff member who was away. The students were working on their assignment quietly when one of the students asked if I could help him solve one of the problems. I went over and noticed that other students were listening to the explanation, so I decided to address the whole class. We then worked on the problem as a group. After reviewing the tips and solving the problem together, the students finally understood how to complete their remaining work independently. After this, I received an email from one of the students' parents expressing their gratitude for helping their child, who had been quietly struggling in math but was now confident in their ability to complete the chapter. Several years later, the same student stopped by to visit the school and came to see me. He remembered that one day in math class, and thanked me for helping him find the confidence to ask for help and learn math. This is why I love teaching. Being able to help others find the confidence to succeed brings me genuine joy.

How do you bring faith and values into everyday classroom life?

I firmly believe in the teachings of "loving one's neighbour" and respecting the dignity of every human person. My faith plays a significant role in my teaching practice. I bring my faith and values into the classroom by showing respect to the students and expecting them to show respect in return for their teachers and peers. I also incorporate faith-based stories and examples into any course I teach, ensuring that students make and see the faith-based connections in anything they learn.

What do you think makes your school special for both students and families?

St. Patrick Regional Secondary values the idea of family. All of our staff members have and continue to create wonderful connections with our students and families. St. Pat's offers families a sense of safety and a sense of belonging. We pride ourselves on ensuring students' needs are heard and met. Our Learning Support Services and Student Services Teams work hard to provide extra support to students who need it. They also support our teachers, enabling them to better support all students in their classes. Many of our teachers offer after-school support and ensure that parents are well-informed about their child's progress in their classes. St. Pat's is like a home away from home for the staff, students, and parents.

If your students could describe you in three words, what do you think they’d say?

I think my students would describe me as open-minded, generous, and trustworthy. I dislike being judged, and therefore I refrain from judging others; as a result, I maintain an open mind on almost any topic a student brings up. I believe that we should share what we have with others, whether that's a simple word of encouragement, a snack, or spending a little extra time after school to help someone complete a task. I have many students who enjoy coming to chat with me during breaks or after school. We chat about anything from how they are feeling that day to homework they have in other classes. These students know that they can trust me to be there if they need to chat. 

What do you hope students will carry with them long after they’ve left your classroom?

I hope my students will leave my classroom with a genuine love for learning and others, and a sense of confidence to face whatever comes their way. I hope that the time they spend in my classroom gives them a positive outlook on life and inspires them to continue growing and improving in many different skills.

How do you see parents and teachers working together to help students flourish?

Many of our teachers and parents communicate often to ensure the success of their students/children. Through parent conferences, learner profile questionnaires, emails, and phone calls, parents and teachers collaborate to understand the student's needs for support and develop an improvement plan tailored to the student's needs.

What advice would you give to someone considering teaching at a CISVA school?

I would say be prepared to become an "involved" educator who isn't afraid to make mistakes and ask for help. You will often find students who need support both in and out of class, and some of them will see you as a guiding light. As educators, our job is to help students succeed, and that often involves reformatting lessons with multiple accommodations for various students in class. This can become overwhelming, so do not be afraid to ask others for help. You will find that students are quietly struggling, and as an "involved" educator, you will have the ability to be open-minded enough to see those struggling students and also see the potential they have. Students just need that one teacher to say, "You've got this," to find the confidence to be the best they can be. Be an "involved" educator who takes pride in teaching their students.

When you think of your students’ future, what excites you most about being part of their journey?

When I think of my students' future, I am excited to have been a small step on their way to success. Even if it was just a smile in the hallway, a simple hello, a listening ear, or giving them free snacks from my office, the fact that I could make a small change to their day, giving them the ability to face the day head-on, gives me a sense of accomplishment. Having them return from years away and remembering even one day where we interacted honestly brings me joy.